European Union

Advocacy and lobbying in the EU is vital for Finnish businesses, as over half the regulations affecting businesses originate in the EU. Suomen Yrittäjät participates both in the preparation of EU law in Finland and lobbies at the EU level in Brussels.

In Finland, EU advocacy is carried out through the Finnish Government’s sectoral committees that prepare Finland’s positions on EU matters.

Suomen Yrittäjät has a permanent office in Brussels, where it lobbies on EU affairs in cooperation with the Finnish transport trade organization Finmobility. Suomen Yrittäjät focuses its advocacy on the EU’s key initiating and decision-making bodies: the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament. In this, we take advantage of our broad enterprise stakeholder and influencer network in Brussels.

An important support for the EU advocacy of Suomen Yrittäjät is the European SME organization SMEunited, which lobbies on EU legislation from a European SME perspective. It represents 70 SME organizations in 30 countries, who in turn have 12 million SME members. Suomen Yrittäjät actively participates in SMEunited’s working groups and committees, which decide on common advocacy positions. The Chairperson of Suomen Yrittäjät chairs the Social Affairs Committee and is a vice president in the organization.

Suomen Yrittäjät has a representative on the EU’s European Economic and Social Committee, which brings together employer and employee organizations and other stakeholders. The committee’s key task is to bring the view of civil society to the EU’s legislative initiatives through its opinions to the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission.

More information in our EU-advocacy package here (in Finnish)

EU Advocacy and Entrepreneurship in the European Union

EU decision-making has a direct or indirect impact on all businesses operating in Member States. In practice, the effects of the EU are reflected through legislation, funding and policy initiatives. It is estimated that EU regulation influences around two-thirds of the Finnish Government’s significant legislative proposals. In the area of business legislation, the impact is even greater, with more than 90% of new business-related legislation based at least partly on EU rules.

A Market of 450 Million Consumers

The EU Single Market comprises approximately 450 million consumers and serves as the home market for Finnish businesses. Companies benefit from the opportunities offered by the Single Market while also complying with its associated rights and obligations. For this reason, it is essential that the Single Market functions effectively. This requires high-quality regulation, as poorly designed legislation can undermine the benefits of a common market.

26 Million Businesses

There are approximately 26 million businesses operating across the EU. Of these, 99.8% are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The typical EU business employs fewer than ten people. Such micro-enterprises account for nearly 92% of all businesses and employ almost 30% of the private-sector workforce.

Think Small First

EU Single Market legislation often applies uniformly to all businesses, regardless of their size or operational scope. However, most companies operate locally and conduct limited activities across national borders. It is therefore important that EU legislation is based on a thorough understanding of the diverse circumstances and needs of businesses.

The EU has increasingly focused on improving regulatory quality. One of the most important principles from an SME perspective is the Think Small First principle. The aim is to ensure that the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises are better taken into account when legislation is designed and implemented. Transparency in the legislative process and meaningful consultation with stakeholders are also key elements of good regulation. These principles are reflected in the EU’s SME policy framework, known as the Small Business Act.

More Than Regulation

The EU is perhaps best known for its regulatory role. The European Commission proposes legislation, which is then considered and adopted by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament through the ordinary legislative procedure.

EU regulation affects many areas that are crucial for businesses, including environmental and energy policy, public procurement, company law, value-added taxation, accounting and auditing, as well as competition and consumer policy. In these fields, EU legislation largely defines the rules under which businesses operate.

However, the EU’s activities extend far beyond regulation. Shared objectives are also pursued through funding programmes and policy initiatives. SMEs, for example, can apply for EU funding for research and innovation projects or benefit from structural funds to support business development and growth.

FFE’s Goal: A Better Environment for Businesses

The Federation of Finnish Enterprises (FFE) advocates for the interests of entrepreneurs and SMEs both in Finland and in Brussels. Each policy sector within FFE is responsible for influencing EU initiatives within its area of expertise. This work includes monitoring legislative and policy developments, participating in Finland’s national EU policy preparation, and engaging directly with EU institutions.

A key channel for direct influence is SMEunited, the European umbrella organisation representing small and medium-sized enterprises, in whose activities FFE actively participates.

FFE carries out its EU advocacy activities in Brussels in cooperation with FinMobility ry, which represents Finnish employers’ and business organisations in the mobility sector.

European Economic and Social Committee

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) plays an important role in EU policymaking by representing organised civil society across Europe. The EESC is an advisory body composed of 329 members from all EU Member States. Its primary task is to provide opinions on proposed EU legislation and policy initiatives.

Mira-Maria Danisman, Head of FFE’s Brussels Office, serves as a member of the EESC representing Finnish entrepreneurs, while Pasi Moisio, CEO of FinMobility ry, serves as her deputy member.